Choreography is the art of putting together dance shows. Ice skating, cheerleading, synchronized swimming, and a variety of other performance arts all use choreography. A choreographer is someone who composes choreographed pieces; typically, a choreographer works as a performer before becoming a composer in order to gain a better understanding of the art form.
Choreography is a centuries-old practice; the word itself comes from Ancient Greek and literally means “dance writing,” referring to the notation used to record choreography. People began to use the terms “dance notation” and “choreography” interchangeably to describe the specific style of language used to create a written record of a choreographed composition and the process of developing and directing that composition in performance.
This art form is most famously associated with the field of dance, where it is regarded as an essential component of the show. Without the vision of a choreographer, talented dancers can only do so much, and they rely heavily on the greater vision that a choreographer can bring to a performance. Choreographers consider a piece’s impact, look, and feel, directing dancers in ways that will help them achieve their goal of creating a meticulously orchestrated piece in which every single movement is planned ahead of time.
A choreographer is sometimes a dancer who also composes the pieces he or she performs in. A notable example of a dancer/choreographer is Martha Graham. In some cases, a choreographer is a retired dancer who uses the skills he or she learned during his or her career after the performance days are over. Many well-known dancers go on to become expert choreographers.
Choreography can be used in almost any type of performance that requires coordinated movement. Choreographers are used by marching bands, figure skaters, choirs, gymnasts, and others to improve the quality of their performances and tighten up their performance skills.
A “fight choreographer” is a choreographer who arranges staged fights for film and theater. Fight choreographers are usually trained in a variety of fighting techniques, such as fencing, and they may also be skilled stuntmen (and women). Fight choreographers have the unique task of teaching people who have never fought before how to fight in a way that suggests they have years of experience and practiced skills, often in a short period of time.